Air for life Air for life Chapter 17, a naruto fanfic

I'm so proud this chapter came up quickly :D

This is more a funny / daily life chapter, but still neccesary for the plot.

I just rounded 50 reviews! A BIG thanks to:

cathyscloud9, BatmanGummyBears, bonitalito, Hell's Butterflies and knetterzak
for reviewing the previous chapter! It really kept me going knowing that SOME people are reading my story, haha!

Days in Konoha lately was warm and this particular day was not an exception.

"Helping miss Toshi is training too!" Lee said over his shoulder as he stood on the french terrace of my apartment over the herb shop.

His two teammates Neji and Tenten wasn't as convinced as he though. Neji, a kid with a silent attitude, from the infamous hyuuga clan stood in the middle of my apartment with crossed arms, frowning. Tenten the brown haired girl, I couldn't yet decide which skills possessed stood more humbly beside the hyugga boy and listened to Lee in the green jumpsuit. Not that I didn't share their attitude. Lee and Gai was such an odd pair that even though they helped I still couldn't figure out what to do with myself around them.

"I'm ready Gai-sensei!" Lee shouted and waved his arms towards the street.

"Here it comes!" I heard Gai yell.

"As long as they don't break anything." I muttered and heard Neji sigh irritated.

Up in the air came my new bed, flipping around as Gai had thrown it into the air for Lee to catch.

"This is over the top. Couldn't we just carry it upstairs?" Tenten said without really asking.

Lee caught my bed shakily, the size of it against his lean frame looking like they were defying the laws of physics.

"I got it!" He struggled to say, and awkwardly tried to turn around, all red in the face from compensating from the overweight.

"Here it comes miss Toshi!" He shouted enthusiastically.

"N-no! Don't throw it!" I warned, Neji and Tenten automatically jumping out of the way.

"What? Okay then." Lee responded and tilted the bed in through the open doors instead, all three of us sighing in relief.

After having written down a long list of things I wanted, Gai and Lee had been more than helpful at carrying and finding all the stuff I needed the day before. Surprisingly enough I'd found the company of the two rather hilarious. They were both goofy and had a positive attitude around everything. They both whore their emotions as shirts and never held back when they felt anything. It kind of rubbed off on me as I started not worrying to much about the future but just enjoyed what we were doing at the moment.

Pots and pans hang in the ceiling over the kitchenette. Plates and cubs was lined up on shelves. Everything for the kitchen was bought along with fresh herbs I'd hung up along the walls by the kitchenette. My wolf totem had been placed on a shelf I had decided should be for all me new memories. The fur coat from the tribe had been hung up on the wall over the bed (or where it was supposed to be). Towels for my bathroom was in place by the shower along with everything else. My small amount of clothes was stacked in the closet and basically everything was in it's right place.

"Where should I put it miss Toshi?!" Lee shouted ripping me out of my thoughts.

"Right over there, thank you Lee." I pointed to the left wall before Lee placed it with bump on the heavy wooden floor.

"No thank you for the training!" He saluted and bowed slightly.

This kid is so polite he makes me uncomfortable, I thought perplexed.

"What do you say Toshi?" Gai laughed, appearing at the terrace.

"This is great! You guys have been more than good to me!" I said, putting my hands on my hips and looked around the apartment which now resembled a home.

"It's nothing, really." Gai said and sniffled satisfied.

"It is! What about dinner, my treat?" I said, feeling confident enough that they would appreciate the gesture even from a nobody like me.

"You don't have to say that twice!" Gai responded and gave me a thumbs up.

We ate at Konoha Wok House - luckily accepted by Gai because it was healthy. Tenten and Lee was fairly curious about me and asked simple childish questions like:

"What kind of skills do you have?"

"How many fights have you been in?" Which I didn't have any count on.

"Have you ever killed somebody?" The understatement of the year.

Neji was silent most of the time and kept to himself but seemed to listen to whatever people around him was saying. The kid almost startled me when his pupiless lavender eyes suddenly met mine.

"I heard from Naruto that you have been trained by Kakashi Hatake. He was former ANBU. You must have grown very strong with his intense training." Neji said, his voice harsh and nonchalant.

The mentioning of Kakashi had me think twice. Sometimes I could still forget how known he was amongst other ninjas.

"That's true. But he hasn't trained me in that sense. I haven't learned any new jutsu's or anything. I've just become stronger physically and mentally." I said and shrugged.

Neji looked disappointed. Clearly he didn't have very high thoughts of me. Guess a girl like me didn't look like much.

"Well. You could still use some muscle mass on those arms." Gai pondered.

I looked at my arms instinctively thinking that they hadn't been in such a good shape as they were now. In the hot weather I was wearing a simple tank-top, so my arms were bare for everyone to see.

"Are you serious?" I asked him, feeling a little bit offended and self-aware.

"Dead serious!" Gai said and grunted "You should come and train with us. I can help you develop your thaijutsu skills and plan a healthy diet for you that will help nurture you to the most beneficial."

It sounded like hard training and I didn't really think much about my food. But I suppose that I didn't have anything better to do except getting settled in.

In the following days I was woken up by Gai at six in the morning, knocking on my windows to do the morning exercise followed by a heavy breakfast of eggs, nuts and milk. I soon learned that his 'nice guy'-pose wasn't just for show, but was a kind of pose he made when he committed to a statement. Overall his training was hard work, much harder than Kakashi's had ever been. In lack of anything to do I stayed around him and Lee long after the other students had retired for the day, thinking mostly that I could outdo Lee. The training was intensive though. Forty laps around Konoha had my legs and lungs aching even though student and teacher would continue unaffected even after twenty laps. I was definitely not used to this kind of physical training that focused only on the muscle work and stamina. Relying only on that, I was suddenly way behind in skills compared to Gai and Lee. It seemed that I had underestimated the hyperactive man.

Although I wasn't much of a talker around the two, Gai invited me (and Lee) to dinner every time we were finished. Two weeks went by in the blink of an eye with a daily routine consisting of getting up at six o'clock and in bed at ten at night time. When not around Gai I spent time in the shop or in the big kitchen to learn about different herbs or help out the old couple with heavy lifting. I liked keeping myself busy to redirect my thoughts on Kakashi who wasn't apparent in my life, and the need I felt to be close to him and know what he was doing. Every day without his presence was a disappointment and so I kept my mind busy with other things until bedtime.

On warm day I was doing a hundred push-ups along side Lee. There was a cold wind that day, indicating autumn's first arrival on the else wise airy and green training ground. Wind sighed through the trees, the sun baking us all despite the cool breeze that soothed us.

"Through gaining a strong and enduring body you'll achieve immense reserves of chakra and stamina by constantly pushing your own limits." Lee growled enthusiastically while doing his push-ups.

"And also it allows you to recover quickly from extreme chakra exhaustion!" Gai added with a grin plastered on his face.

Even after these two weeks I could see and feel an immense change. Not only did my energy and appetite rise sharply, but my strength and speed too. Sparing matches with either Gai or Lee was on a whole different level than anything I had ever tried before as I could use nothing else but my thaijutsu which wasn't something I had relied much on. My body was changing too, all my muscles starting to show and grow underneath my skin. Even the skin in my face was starting to look better.

My first mission came the day after when an ANBU approached me at my home. It was a man with a porcelain ape-mask this time, who was sent to escort me to the hokages office. To test me - I presume - I was sent on a few D-ranked missions around the village, helping old people with different things. Painting a house, fixing a fence - which I didn't know much about at first - and other small stuff that was easily done in silence, although I would rather train with Gai.

At the end of the week I finally got my first mission, surprsingly an assassination. Quite offensive to be thrown into such a serious mission without any knowledge of how to go about it. A ninja from Root was assigned to follow me in the shadows though, and assist should anything happen, although I think he was just there to keep watch over me. His code name was Shin, a tall young man with black fussy hair and a bird-like porcelain mask with red stripes - in front of his face. That was about the only thing I saw to him after leaving the hokages office that day, and I was left with a strange feeling inside about the whole mission.

If I was going to assassinate somebody I had to hide my face and hair so I wouldn't get recognized. It was odd that they didn't just send some one as anonymous as a Root or an ANBU. I was neither, yet didn't have any mask to conceal my face or any headband to show I was a Konoha ninja.

After a visit at the ninja clothes storage it struck me that maybe the hokage wanted me at this mission exactly because I wasn't yet directly associated with Konoha. I didn't like that at all...

I had no experience in assassinations under orders, only the ones I had done myself, where I could make my own rules. This had to be done cunningly and carefully as it wasn't just my life that was at stake, but also my identity and Konoha's. I knew nothing about my target except his abilities. I didn't know why he was targeted, who he worked for and who I ultimately was sabotaging.

I borrowed standard black clothes for agility, no colors, no patterns to show who I was working for. The man working at the storage found me a black balaclava helmet that covered my head and face and black gloves to cover my hands. All in all I looked like a stereotypical black clad ninja except for my long hair that hang along my back in a thick braid. Just before leaving I made a big deal out of taking a shower without any soap to make sure no enemy could smell me. Shin was good a hiding his presence, I barely felt him at all. Coming to think about it, I knew very little about the Root division and the difference between them and the ANBU.

The mission in itself was no biggie though. The job was easily done with no interference of Shin, and so I started a routine of training with Gai, doing assassinations and occasionally helping in the herb shop. Basically I was burrowing my need to see Kakashi and be around him, in work and training.

The missions I was given by the hokage didn't reach me until a day I was eating at Gai's house. He was being his enthusiastic happy self, serving chicken and vegetables in his cozy home when it suddenly struck me that I was very happy in his presence and I didn't want to loose that. What frightened me was that I didn't quite understand what I was starting to become a part of.

"What's wrong Toshi?" He asked in between a mouthful of broccoli.

I didn't realize I'd stopped eating and was staring at my food before he asked the question. I knew Gai was always very understanding, but in truth I hadn't shared much with him about myself or how I felt in general, although it wasn't on his part the concern lacked.

"I'm just confused about my missions. I don't understand the proportions of them. There's a lot of things I don't understand about Konoha. It annoys me. I feel like I'm just doing my work blindly." I admitted, sticking to a carrot with my chop sticks.

Gai made a pondering sound seeming genuinely troubled by my words.

"I mean: am I doing justice or am I just doing Konoha's dirty work? No one knows what I do except for you, the hokage, Shin from the Root and me." I added.

"The Root? Someone from the Root is assisting you?" Gai snapped suddenly, his big eyebrows furrowing down worried.

"Yeah, sometimes he is. But we are never in contact. I just know that he's there if anything should go wrong." I said, slightly startled at his reaction to Shin, of all the things I'd told him.

"I see, I see." Gai said, taking a hand to his chin in a thoughtful way.

"Well I wouldn't expect less of you Toshi. You are after all not from Konoha, so of course you wont follow whomever blindly. I suggest you seek out the answers yourself. Go to the library and burrow books about Konoha, then you can judge things yourself. I'm afraid the Hokage doesn't trust you enough to give you details about the significance of your missions, but I'm sure you'll find out sooner or later." Gai said and gave me thumbs up.

Why can't he just explain things to me? Then I don't have to burrow books! I thought and glanced at him suspiciously. A strange mood settled between us at the table, but different things were troubling us, I could tell. I decided to reluctantly push my worries away and change the subject instead:

"Anyways. When Kakashi and I returned home from our mission three weeks ago I had hoped he would teach me how to do summoning techniques. Since we haven't crossed paths ever since, I was wondering if maybe you could teach me?" I flashed him a sheepish smile and started eating again.

"What do you have in mind?" He asked seeming perplexed.

"We found this scroll for nin-cats at an old lady's house who had been murdered, and brought it with us. It seems that there's some kind of connection between Eien and the nin-cats." I explained.

"Oh! So you want the nin-cats to work for you?" He asked suddenly pumped up in excitement.

"I guess. If that's how it works." I said and scratched my forehead dumb-founded.

"Why haven't you told me this before?! Have you signed the contract in blood yet?!" He asked, standing up, making all the things on the table shake.

"Y-yes I have." I said, holding my glass of water firmly on the table to make sure it didn't tilt.

"Well! Then it's very simple. You only have to offer an additional donation of blood on the hand you signed the contract with-" Gai demonstrated by biting his thumb, a tiny drop of blood forming at the tip-"then mould your chakra with hand seals and then plant the hand you signed the contract with at the location you wish to summon the creature."

He put his hand on the table while I frantically grabbed my food and water before small black marks formed on the table and a puff of smoke blew up from his hand. A small red turtle looked confused at me, sitting by the dinner table with a plate full of vegetables. I blinked at it, and then it blinked at me.

"As you know Toshi, the summoning technique is a space-time ninjutsu." Gai said, putting his hand on his hip.

"Hey there." I said awkwardly feeling as confused as the turtle looked.

"However the summon is not required to help you. He can be a hindrance as much as an ally. So you best summon at practice tomorrow just to make sure you aren't going to get yourself killed by these cats!" Gai said.

"You're right. The first one I met was definitely not very friendly towards me." I mussed.

"Good then! We'll practice tomorrow morning." He said ending the conversation and returning to stuffing himself with food.

I smiled to myself and put down the food. It was obvious that Gai took a special interest in Lee but overall, Gai was a very attentive and dedicated instructor, who did everything in his power to make sure that all three of his prized students, including me, received proper instruction in their own particular fields.

On my way home the market district was still buzzing. I took my time to walk home, a train of thoughts running through my mind concerning my missions, concerning Kakashi and my life in general. I still felt the gap he had left behind in me, and it was when I had these moments for myself I really missed him. There were so many things I wanted to tell him. I wanted to scold him too for not visiting me or seeking me out. I kicked a stone angrily, stuffing my hands into my pockets and looked into the dark sky, people passing by me consumed in their own daily life. Sighing I allowed myself to dwell in that longing for him and imagine myself looking up at him into his two different eyes, one red, one onyx and feeling the warmth of his breath on my face, the warmth of his body, his scent. Hearing him apologize for his behavior and that he couldn't stand to be away from me anymore. I often found myself daydreaming about the Suna night market and how Kakashi would look at me, remembering the feeling of tranquility and happiness.

Why am I doing this to myself?

I shook my head while walking into the herb store, the scent warming me with the feel of a home. A guy stood in the shop, looking up the long rows of drawers as I entered. No one was inside the store, probably out in back eating dinner.

"Do you need anything?" I asked and took off my vest.

He turned around and flashed me a sheepish smile and took a hand to his neck.

"Yeah I was looking for a good mix of tea to my granny. I've never been here before but I heard you had the best mixes." He said.

I took him in quickly. With black messy hair and brown eyes he stood, tall of figure and very handsome. He wore a regular marine blue sweatshirt and black trousers that made his legs look long and lean. He looked to be at least twenty-one but I couldn't quite tell.

"We do have the best mixes." I said, and threw my vest behind the counter.

"Do you have anything specific in mind?" I asked him and flashed him a smile.

He seemed somehow uncomfortable by that, or maybe just shy but answered anyway.

"Yeah, I was thinking about a blend that could help her to relax at nighttime." He said.

"Hmm." I thought for a moment, going over what the old lady Hana had taught me.

I grabbed one the tea bags for mixes and went around the counter to search for some specific drawers.

"We could start with some oat flower. It calms and nourishes." I said and grabbed a ladder and started climbing to some of the top drawers.

"That sounds good!" He said.

"And then some lavender which soothes and relaxes." I said and climbed down to open one of the lower drawers.

I opened the drawers too quickly and a puff of lavender blew into the air and tainted the floor. The guy laughed at me as I stood with an expression that told him it wasn't funny.

"Here let me. You're obviously clumsy." He teased and budged in, trying to take the big spoon from me.

"W-what was that?! I can do this myself!" I said pushing him away as he had somehow struck a nerve in me.

"Touchy." He answered, cocking an eyebrow.

What's with this guy? He acts like we're friends or something. I looked at him as if he was dumb and he just replied with a giant smirk.

"Just let me do my job." I said sullenly and shoved some lavender into the bag.

"I will." He said, still smirking.

Is he trying to flirt with me? He doesn't waste his time does he? I pondered.

"We can add some lime flower which help to settle the mind." I said, raising an eyebrow suspiciously at him and went to the lime flower drawers.

"You're a kunoichi aren't you?" He asked all of a sudden.

All my paranoid alerts kicked in and I stopped in my tracks instinctively.

"I saw your green vest when you entered. Also civilian women would let me help them." He added as if he had read my mind.

I fell at ease at that explanation and opened the drawer and filled the bag.

"You're quick to catch up then. Yes I am." I answered.

"How come you work here then?" He asked, his brown eyes full of curiosity.

Jeez, such a nosy guy, I thought annoyed and moved to the last drawer.

"My apartment is upstairs, so sometimes I help the old couple out." I answered shortly.

"I'll just add some licorice root, chamomile flower and valerian root for the blend to have the best taste." I added, hoping he would stop the questioning.

"That sounds horrible. I don't like licorice." He said with a shrug.

He's a customer Toshi. Remember what granny Hana taught you. Be polite. With effort I forced a smile.

"Nah I'm just messing with you. Your blend sounds really good." He added jokingly.

I lost my smile and gave him an are-you-kidding-me stare.

"Very funny." I said indifferently and moved to collect the last herbs.

"No sense of humor." He muttered just loud enough for me to hear.

Trying to control my temper I ignored that comment.

"I'm a ninja too. A jounin." He said as I moved around.

"Okay." I forced yet another smile and turned around, literally not giving shit.

"How come I haven't seen you before? What rank are you?" He pressed on.

"I'm new in the city and lets just say that I'm probably stronger than you." I answered.

This made him laugh out loud, and I flinched trying to keep my tongue from scolding him.

"I seriously doubt that." He scoffed, whipping away the tears that had settled in the corner of his eyes.

'Whatever' I wanted to say, but just shrugged instead and went to the counter. My shrug seemed to strike a nerve in him, probably because I didn't react like he wanted to.

"It'll be a hundred and fifty Ryo." I said, hoping that I could retire to my apartment soon. I wasn't really in the mood for joking around and being polite to some guy who was obviously interested.

"Oh, right." He said and started rummaging through his pockets.

The small sliding door behind me opened and I looked over my shoulder to see Hana crawl through with a smile on her wrinkled face.

"Thought I heard voices out here. Welcome home Toshi." She said with her raspy voice.

"So Toshi is your name." the black haired guy said and took out his wallet.

"Yup." I said starting to grow impatient.

"Toshi it's impolite not to ask this young man's name when he knows yours." Hana said, smiling up at the tall guy.

I fought to control the irritation in my expression and smiled mechanically.

"And what's your name?" I asked, forcing my voice pleasant, although it was obvious to him that I wasn't being sincere as he handed me the money.

"Maybe I'll tell you some other time. I'm kind of in a hurry." He said, smirking teasingly it me as he snatched the bag of tea from the counter.

My ass if he was in a hurry!

"Thank you for your help, Toshi." He said and turned to walk out.

"Thank you so much. Please come again." Granny Hana said, while I just stood there feeling both dumb and startled.

"That was a nice young man wasn't it?" She mussed before starting to clean up the counter.

I couldn't believe that I was just treated like that by a costumer. At first he asked me all sorts of questions seeming somewhat interested in me, and then he just turns around and wont even give me his name, when I finally put my pride aside and ask him. What. The. Hell.

"It's very important you don't put too much chakra into this. We don't want you to summon something we can't control." Gai said, mouth tight and nostrils flaring in anticipation.

"Jeez would you let me do this already?" I growled.

The bushy browed Gai had all morning instructed me in the importance of being respectful to whoever I would summon and seemed to be more nervous than me.

"Maybe if you could control your chakra a little bit better!" Gai snapped at me.

"What do you mean? I control my chakra perfectly well!" I snapped back.

"It fluctuates like a woman's mood!" He retaliated

"Very mature Gai!"

"Just because inside that youthful body you're just an old woman!"

"What was that?!"

We glared daggers at each other for a few seconds before Gai huffed and crossed his arms, clearly on edge because of the whole situation. I sighed and put my hands together to perform the jutsu.

"It's like there's a constant forcefield of chakra around you. How you manage to hide it on your missions is a mystery to me." He scoffed.

"I can hide it if I want to! It's my kekkei genkei, this is how it is when I relax. Kakashi says so!" I barked, irritated that the man wouldn't shut his mouth.

"Don't you think I've read your files?" Gai barked back just as loudly.

"Oh' so you're a stalker now. That's just great!" I spat my voice filled with sarcasm.

"I'm not a stalker! How can say something so mean Toshi?" Gai asked dramatically, crocodile tears starting to form in the corner of his eyes.

In the distance, by an old oak Neji, Lee and Tenten sat in the shadow all three tired of listening to Gai and I's bickering. It continued for several more minutes. We fought rarely but when we did, we seemed to get on each other's nerves equally well.

"Just shut up and let me do my thing!" I growled still holding my hands together.

Gai pouted, his arms still crossed, and I took that as a cue to take in a deep breath to calm myself.

"Tiny bit of chakra." Gai whispered in a low voice, squinting his eyes in anticipation.

For only a second I looked up into sky, fighting to keep myself calm at that irritating man, but then put my hand to the ground, not with too much force.

"Summoning jutsu!"

I felt something grow under my hand and snatched it away immediately as that dry smog blew into my face, making my hair and clothes flab slowly in the air. Gai's hand landed on my shoulder urging me to back away as we both looked intensely into the drifting smog. Without knowing I held my breath, the anticipation seeming to grow while the smog cleared and a small shadow was seen in the mists. Even the kids were alert now, watching from the safety distance of the oak tree. I looked at Gai, his black hair waving around his forehead, his expression stern and serious. I had never seen him like that before. A gust of wind blew away the fog instantly.

Orange with black stripes, white mussel and paws, stood a small shaggy tiger. It appeared old, long white fur hanging from the edge of its chin. It looked tired and slightly confused.

"Where am I?" He asked, moving his head slowly around to look at the surroundings before its gaze settled on Gai and I.

Gai nudged me in the side, and I hesitantly stepped forward to seem in command.

"You're in Konoha. I'm Toshi Setsuko." I said and bowed slightly, really having no idea what to expect.

"Ah." The tiger looked at me with old eyes, it's whiskers slightly bend from old age."So you're that girl."

I looked up in awe. So it had heard about me?

"Do you know me?" I asked, coursing Gai to slap his forehead.

The old tiger smiled slightly, it's eyes gleaming with mirth.

"Gin told me about a strange Toshi who shared souls with Eien no Honou. He suspected you would be the next one to sign the contract." He said and moved slightly forward.

The predator instinctively put me on edge as it moved gracefully forward, although there was a kindness to his voice and eyes. Sensitive, he stopped as soon as he saw my hesitation and then glanced at Gai behind me, who I dared not to turn and look at.

"That's true. I was born with her... At least I've known her all my life." I said, my heart pumping for some unknown reason, like I suddenly wasn't sure if I wanted this.

"Interesting, interesting." He mussed and sat down, the tip of his tale moving, indicating he wasn't truly comfortable "And why have you summoned me?"

"Well..." I wasn't quite sure what to say. Because it would be awesome to have tigers on my team? "I was hoping to hone my skills as a ninja by allying myself with you."

Suddenly remembering what Gai had told me about showing respect and manners, I hurriedly bowed deeply to the small tiger.

"Please fight with me. It would be a great honor!" I saluted, Lee-style.

I peeped up when the tiger burst into a raspy laughter and took the opportunity to subtly look back at Gai who looked just as lost as I.

"I'm no fighter girl. I'm a tactician. Taking that the lady Hosaki is dead, I'll gladly help you if Eien is truly inside of you." He said, tilting his head in a mysterious cat-like way.

I straightened up again, amused by the creature and slightly taken aback by the easy alliance.

"I can't talk for the rest of us though." He added.

"Eien is inside of me!" I exclaimed.

"Prove it!" He commanded, his eyes growing stern.

I will.

The winds stirred slightly as I drew out Eien's chakra. It had been a long time since I had used her form, I liked to have the element of surprise by not showing it. Now Gai would see too. In the blink of an eye, skin breezed into fur and limps grew into the feline form.
I was suddenly higher than I remembered.

The small tiger's eyes widened amused, already standing up and having backed away slightly.

"This is a genjutsu!" He said appalled.

"Is not." I said childishly, moving my new limps to get used to them again.

"Any ninja could make a genjutsu like that!" He said, starting sound almost terrified.

I'd almost forgotten how much respect this form commanded and how people seemed to cower at the sight. Lee had fallen right on his ass while Tenten clung to Neji who was too startled to notice.

"This isn't a genjutsu!" I growled having forgotten the growl that came with an angered voice.

I looked backwards and was shocked to see that I was higher than Gai now. He looked just as startled as Lee did, but held his ground nonetheless.

'What a great time to be silent Eien!'

'Here I was so excited to see you do this without my help.' she purred.

'Tell me his name so he'll believe me.'

'It's much more fun to watch you deal with my kind yourself.' She snickered sweetly.

"This is outrageous! Using one of our deceased friends to make us fight with you!" The tiger shouted.

Dammit two conversations at the same time is not easy! I heard Eien sigh inside in defeat.

'His name is Neshkent, he is essential if you want the others to join you.' (pronounced Nes-hret with a throaty 'R')

"Meshkent!" I took in a deep breath to size myself up, trying to give out that same air Eien could have around her.

The tiger stopped in it's tracks as if he suddenly recognizing me. His eyes grew wide in awe, mouth slightly open as if not believing his eyes. I had no idea what her position was amongst these cats, but it looked like she was in high favor.

"Eien..." Meshkent whispered.

"It's true then!" He added, moving forward.

"She barely remembers anything. Names, feelings. She remembers Gin-iro." I said.

"Can I talk to her?" The old tiger asked, only reaching up to my stomach.

I closed my eyes, ears laying backwards focused to turn inwards and listened for her, but she had fallen silent once again.

"Not right now. She doesn't quite remember you. Just that you're essential for an ally if I want the others to fight for me too." I said, hoping Meshkent still believed that I told the truth.

"I see. Well then. Tell me your story child." He gave me an acknowledging nod and sat down again.

Turning into myself again, I sat down in front the old tiger, Gai and the kids gathering around too as I started telling the short story of my seemingly uneventful life up until I was found by team seven. I purposely left out any details about Kakashi and I's relationship, but Gai and the kids whom I haven't shared much with listened intensely without interrupting.

"Your story touches me, Toshi." Gai admitted when I was finished.

Both he and Neshkent had been listening with a scowl on their faces like it was painful to listen to my story.

"Indeed." The old tiger said his frown deepening and his nose starting to wrinkle up "I will never forgive whomever were clever enough to capture Eien and merge her with you."

"I would never be the person I am today without her, although it wasn't a dance on roses. But I understand that you all have felt a loss." I looked away from his strong gaze "I'm sorry."

"It isn't your fault Toshi." Gai put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it firmly.

"No she was an innocent child." Neschent responded.

I felt very young in the presence of Neschent. His deep amber eyes held such knowledge that I felt like he could see right through me to every soft spot I had.

"Don't pity me. It's was all I knew and I always thought I was happy." I said trying desperately to get my feelings under control after having told my story in such an understanding crowd.

"I didn't even know until now what exactly Eien was. I always thought I was some kind of jinjuriki, but now I have no clue." I sighed and leaned back into the grass to look up at the blue sky.

I glanced at Neji who was still scowling at me, clearly something about my story had put his brain to work. A wind blew around the group as we all sat in silence, contemplating on the mystery of my life and origin. At least that was what my thoughts was circling about.

I'm starting to see the grand design, I thought, watching the white clouds fly by.

"Setsuko."

I moved my head at the mentioning of my name and looked up at Neshkent, the stark contrast of blue sky and orange fur forcing me to squint my eyes.

"I will help you." He said, his fur gently blowing in the breeze.

Glad and amused I sat up immediately, feeling an urge to hug the fluffy animal.

"Thank you! You wont regret it!" I responded.

"The next time you summon, I suggest you summon the twins. They are cunning and sneaky but if you have them on your side, Khanun (pronounced Hra-nun) and Gin will be more likely to assist you in the future." Neshkent said.

I remembered Gin-iro very well. The huge athletic silver lion-panther - whatever he was, with large fangs and hateful eyes, and a distinctive comb of long hair down the top of his neck. An unpleasant chill ran down my spine at the thought of his powers.

"Khanun? Who's that?" I asked, the odd pronunciation leaving me sounding a bit rusty.

"Khanun is one of the three big cats. They were once a trio, Khanum and Gin specializing in raw powers while Eien specialized in mind-jutsus. She trained once with the uchiha."

So that's where that draw to Kakashi's sharingan comes from, I pondered silently.

"I see." I mussed.

"Kids you can leave if you want to. Practice is over for today!" Gai said sheepishly, bringing me and Neshkent out of our little bubble.

It was a quite private conversation we had going, so reluctantly I stood up and stretched my arms and legs to end todays sharing of information.

"Yeah. I better continue this tomorrow. This is quite a lot to take in." I said.

Gai nodded understandingly, having picked up in this as the first one. Considering my position in Konoha it was best if I kept things quiet, even if it was just kids that knew my abilities. Gai understood fully, putting aside his loyalty for Konoha for my privacy.

"Thank you very much Neshkent!" I said and bowed to the old tiger.

"Promise me you will summon me before you summon the twins." He said and inclined his head in a goodbye.

"I will."

Gai had finally convinced me to join him later with the other shinobi's at a bar, something, apparently, they did every friday. But since I had the whole afternoon off there was a lot of time to kill.

"Hello everyone." I called as I entered the big kitchen behind the store.

Even though only four people occupied the kitchen it still felt like it was buzzing. A big pot was cooking on the big stove and something was being fried on a pan. Hana was doing the dishes and the backdoor stood wide open, old man Shoji carrying logs of wood for the fire place inside.

"It's man-shi!"

I flinched, closing my eyes at the sound of the high pitched voice of the old couple's grand child, Azami. She was the most rude child I had ever met in my life, and she had taken a strange liking to me as a friendemy. Giving me that nickname was the ultimate test for my pride and temper. The black haired girl only saw me when I was in the shop, lifting stuff for the old couple, thereby the merging of 'man' and 'Toshi'. A tall slender woman with the same black hair sat by the fireplace and smiled over at me as I entered. It was Azami's mother who rarely came by. She was a silent delicate woman, married into a rich family and lived in the upper parts of Konoha. I suspected she came here to escape whatever big mansion she lived in. Showing respect I just kept my distance and never asked her any questions, although her little girl was the complete opposite.

"Are you here?" I scoffed as the girl came running to me.

"Have you come to carry more boxes man-shi?" She asked.

"No and stop calling me man-shi!" I said wryly, pushing the girl aside to look what the old granny was cooking.

"Why man-shi?" she followed me closely, almost stepping in my heels.

"Because it's annoying." I answered, frowning irritated.

"Why man-shi?"

I grit my teeth and lifted the girl up in my arm and ruffled her scalp with my knuckles.

"You little brat!" I growled as she started squirming and yelling.

"Stop it!" She squeaked as we received bored glances from everyone in the room, all used to our bickering.

"Say you're sorry!"

"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!" she squeaked.

I stopped and put her down victoriously, the girl moping sullenly while rubbing her head gently.

"Stupid man-shi." She said and stuck out her tongue at me.

I clenched my fist and pretended to grab for her "What was that?!"

Squealing she whipped around and ran to her mother. I couldn't help but smile. She was annoying, but it was fun to tease her, just as she teased me.

"You two." Granny Hana said warmly, still cleaning the dishes.

"Toshi, we're expecting a delivery in ten minutes. Maybe you could help out?" Grandpa Shoji called, sticking his head inside the backdoor.

"Sure grandpa." I answered, stopping myself from giving him a thumbs up.

I grabbed an apple and started digging into it as I watched Hana hum and looking out the window at her husband collecting firewood. There was something nice about these moments that took me back to that same feeling in the huts in the land of ice.

Calling from the backyard, Shoji saw the delivery coming. I went outside to the front of the store greeting the usual delivery man, Azami following closely behind as my tail. It wasn't big boxes, but they were a little bit heavy for old people. Azami ran inside with the smaller packages and while she did I stacked the larger boxes.

"Need some help Toshi?"

I stiffened, recognizing the voice and turned around mechanically.

"You." I responded sullenly watching the tall black haired man from the day before who hadn't given me his name.

"What kind of answer is that?" He asked and ruffled his shaggy hair.

"It's answer enough." I huffed and turned around, hoping he would go away.

"Hey! What kind of way is that to treat a costumer." He scoffed and went to my side as I continued stacking the boxes.

"Well technically you're not my costumer right now." I said, flashing him an insincere smile.

He huffed, slightly taken aback by the blunt attitude.

"Feisty." He said wryly and crossed his arms.

"Rude." I retaliated.

He scowled offended "I'm not rude! You're the one being rude."

I put down the last box and whipped the sweat off my forehead, noticing his eyes falling down to my bare collarbone and then to my breasts and immediately up again. For some reason I felt my cheeks heat up at that. There was a look in his brown eyes that showed admiration. Normally it didn't as much as touch me if a man looked at me that way.

"What did you say?!" I snapped, letting my flustered feelings show in anger instead.

"I said, you're rude!" He snapped back starting to seem pissed off as well.

"Okay, what the hell is your problem?!" I growled, feeling my body language going as brusque as I felt.

"What's your problem?!" He responded gritting his teeth aggressively.

"Stop repeating what I say dumb-ass." I picked up a box aggressively, noticing that the delivery man was looking nervously at me.

"Im not repe-" He stopped half sentence "I'm just trying to be nice and you're giving me an attitude!" He snapped, blowing air through his nose frustrated.

"I don't even know you. You were making fun of me yesterday and asking nosy questions. You're a jounin, you should know that asking another ninja questions is inappropriate."

He growled and snorted angrily.

"I wasn't making fun of you! I was just teasing, trying to get your attention and seem interested." He said, jaw locked stubbornly.

"Why would you do that?!" I scoffed "I don't even know your name or who you are. I mean why would yo-"

"I was hoping to ask you out!" He shouted and everyone in the street seemed to stop for a heartbeat, giving us both enough time to be embarrassed.

"And my name is Kenshin." He added a little bit lower, a faint pink coloring his cheeks.

I gaped at him flabbergasted, still holding a box in my arms. I just stared. Did he just ask me out? No one had ever asked me out before. Not to mention that his first impression wasn't exactly something to brag about. He ran a hair through his shiny hair and sighed, when I realized it had been several seconds I'd just been staring at him.

"No wonder no one else had the guts to ask you out." He muttered

But it was still loud enough for me to hear. For some unknown reason that sentence pierced straight into my heart, quickly taking in a deep breath to control the water that started to emerge in my eyes.

"I won't!" I roared and hurled the box at his face.

He dodged it easily, looking just as startled as me, his brown eyes wide.

Poor guy.

Serves him well for that comment.

Just forget it dude she's out of your league.

Suddenly all the attention that was directed at us came flooding in. I had no other option but to grab a box and storm pass a confused Kenshin. Who did he think he was?! Talking like I scared all guys away. I wasn't even the old cold Toshi anymore... Could it really be true that I scared guys away? Was that why Kakashi didn't want to be around me anymore? I fought the tears badly as I bend down and slammed the sliding door aside, almost knocking it out of it's track before closing it with the equal amount of force.

"What's wrong?!" Hana cried startled and dropped everything in her hands to rush to me, panting angrily through my nose as I put the box down.

"A guy asked me out!" I roared, throwing my arms dramatically into the air.

Everyone looked confused, granny Hana gaping slightly at me like she was waiting for me to tell her it was a joke.

"Can you believe the nerve of him?!" I moved to sit in one of the high chairs by the island counter in the middle of the kitchen, grabbing an innocent orange and started peeling it violently.

"Dear, why are you mad about that? That's a good thing." Hana turned to look a Shoji questioningly who had popped his head inside the backdoor to see what all the yelling was about. "Right?" She added.

"I have noticed a younger crowd visiting the store lately." Old man Shoji pondered out loud.

I was too embarrassed to admit that a guy, I didn't know, had actually upset me with a simple sentence. Cool down Toshi. This isn't like you. The guy did actually ask you out. Well, there was a surprise! Someone had asked me out. I don't think the words sunk in before I was finished pealing the orange, Hana and Shoji still discussing what was wrong.

"Toshi's got a boyfriend!" Azami sang cheekily, about to leave for another round of small boxes.

"Brat." I muttered, brooding in my own confusion.

Why did he want to go out with me? And were there other guys who wanted to ask me out? Get it together! I'm strong and beautiful, of course I attract men. He even looked at my breasts! Oh, yeah, forgot I had a pair of those. Apparently they could work charms around guys... I didn't use that enough to my advantage.

I tilted backwards a little bit and looked down at me cleavage, my skin still glistening in sweat. Hana gave me a concerned stare.

That must've looked real intelligent. Rolling my eyes at my own stupidity - "And that's how quickly I get over things." I muttered, deciding to go outside an apologize to Kenshin, only to find that he was already gone.

This is such a bother. Why am I even doing this? With a sigh I walked lazily through the market district, trying - well maybe not trying that hard - to find Kenshin. I really hated apologizing to people. I probably scared him away already.

Over by a gathering of vegetable stands I spotted his messy black hair amongst the crowd. Picking up my pace and biting down my pride, I followed him while trying to keep a low profile by avoiding all in my path. At least it was good training to stalk someone without getting noticed. I don't know why I was being so adamant about avoiding the inevitable, but I couldn't stalk him forever.

"Kenshin." I shouted reluctantly.

The tall guy turned around, his eyes scanning the crowd before they settled on me, puzzlement showing all over his features. Stuffing my hands into my pockets I approached him, watching how his expression grew more and more stubborn with each step.

"It's you." He scoffed and folded his arms.

Strange as it was, I liked that he didn't look like a hopeful puppy at my approach, but rather wasn't afraid to let me know what a douchebag I had been.

"I just wanted to apologize for my behavior before." I said, flashing him a charming smile, hoping to milden him quickly.

"What was that? I couldn't quite hear you?" He responded leaning forward cheekily

"I'm sorry about before." I answered, jaw locked in stubbornness.

"A little bit louder?" He took a hand op to his ear and leaned smugly closer to me, a teasing grin plastered all over his face.

"I said I was sorry!" I growled through gritted teeth, refusing to look him in the eyes.

"What, can't you even look me in the eye while you say it?" He spat, being right in my face.

I snapped my head back in anger, charging forward "I'm sorry!" I shouted for full lungs, once again coursing the whole street to stop in its tracks.

Kenshin looked kind of startled and I cleared my throat, getting out of his face as by passers continued their daily routine.

"Anyways. What does it involve to go out on a date?" I asked him, still refusing to look at him.

"What do you mean 'what does it involve'?" He laughed "I was thinking I could take you out for dinner." He explained.

"Yeah I know that much, but what do you require of me? What purpose does a date serve exactly?" I asked, feeling stubbornly embarrassed to ask him this.

He looked perplexed for a moment before scratching that messy mop of black hair.

"Uhm... Have you never been on a date before?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes and looked back at him. "No. Does that bother you?"

"Of course it doesn't, it just surprises me a little bit." He chuckled sheepishly.

"What do you mean?" I responded, cocking an eyebrow defensively at him.

"Well, I just thought that a beautiful girl like you would've gone on a lot of dates." He explained, moving a bit to the side to let people through.

"... Thanks I guess." Once again I found myself blushing. Strange as I never blushed at compliments like that, especially not from strangers. "Back to my previous question. What is your expectation of this date?"

Once again, after having looked victorious for making me blush, he looked perplexed.

"I guess, getting to know you, and the other way around."

I blinked a couple of times "So that's it?"

"I guess." He answered and smiled sheepishly at me.

"I can do that..." I pondered, thinking to myself that it didn't sound as awkward as I had imagined it would.

His smile widened enthusiastically for a moment before clearing his throat and putting on a more controlled expression.

"That's great." He said, sucking in air to man up "How about I pick you up by the store at 6 pm tomorrow?"

"I guess." I answered on instinct, still not quite sure what I was saying yes to.

"What do you mean 'I guess'? Can't you give a clear answer? Jeez." He scoffed, ripping me out of my dumb-founded state of mind as he scowled at me in way only he could.

"Would you relax? It was perfectly clear it was a 'yes'" I retorted.

Seriously, I had never met anybody that could match my own temperament as he could. I was starting to think it was a bad idea to hang around him, we would only end up ripping each others throats out. He had zero tolerance for bad manners and could bad-mouth me on my own level.

"Alright alright, let's not fight again." He responded holding up his hands to pacify me.

"You started it." I muttered, moping as I turned away from him.

"What was that?" He hissed, getting in to my space.

"Nothing." I promptly answered, looking around the street like everything was normal.

"Didn't think so." He retaliated a smirk plastered all over his face.

Fighting to remain calm - and failing in holding my eyebrow from quivering - I turned to him again, flashing him a smile I knew he couldn't withstand.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." I said.

"Yeah, at 6 pm." He answered and nodded, this time giving me a soft sincere smile.

"Right, see you!"

"See you tomorrow." He waved as I started to make my way back home.

I couldn't believe that I had a date. Having grown up as I did, I had never believed in that kind of crap, but somehow it felt nice to just be regular. Although I wasn't sure why I had said yes and what I was going to get out of this, I was kind of proud of myself for doing this. He was a handsome guy and a jounin so it couldn't be that bad. The one major problem was that he wasn't Kakashi.

"Hey Toshi! Over here!"

I gazed through the bar and saw Genma calling for me, Gai turning around in the sofa booth to wave at me. Starting to think that people didn't act like they now me, but rather just was being friendly, I sighed and walked to the gathering of jounins, hoping I wasn't in for a too crazy night.

Bars here were different than those in Suna. Here there were no big fires and red lights. No eye blinding mash of colors and smells overwhelming your senses. It was just a plain old bar with music playing lowly in the speakers, karaoke and a tacky dance floor, for when the nights got really crazy, surrounded by sofa-booths where people could have private conversations.

I was mildly disappointed to see Kakashi wasn't there.

"Hey everyone." I said awkwardly, but with a none-wavering stubbornness shining through.

"About time you joined us!" Genma enthused.

I recognized the faces but couldn't remember their names and suddenly panicked as Genma stepped out and made room for me beside him and a woman I wasn't sure I had seen before. The bearded guy who was smoking, Asuma, was his name, and only one who's name I could remember.

"Yeah, I've been busy with stuff." I said bluntly and moved in beside a konuichi with light brown eyes and black hair, styled in a short, spiky, fanned ponytail.

Her style was a little too exposed in my opinion, well, in contrast to myself simply wearing a light grey top with yellow writing across the chest that said 'Dango'. The woman was wearing a tan overcoat with a purple in-seam, which had a pocket on both sides and, worst of all, a fitted mesh body suit that stretched from her neck down to her thighs. As icing on the cake she wore a dark orange mini-skirt, and was also looking bored as hell.

"Hey my name is Anko." She said, flashing me a giant grin.

"Hey Anko." He responded flashing her a smile while being all too self conscious about the impression I left on people.

"What kind of way is that to greet a fellow colleague?!" Her face was inches from mine, a scowl evident and a drooping mouth as she stared at me fiercely.

If looks could kill. Startled, and also kind of scared, I found myself lost for words.

"Well?!" She growled fiercely as I found myself leaning away from the sudden close proximity. "State your name girl!"

"T-Toshi, sir!" I stammered out instinctively.

"Much better." She responded and smiled cheekily and gave me a hard comradely pad on the back.

Feeling a flabbergasted I looked around the table, every one watching me in anticipation, well except for Gai who knew me.

"What're you all staring at? You look like you just heard Madara came back from the dead." Anko said bluntly and poured herself a cup of sake before taking a big swig, making a satisfied sound before continuing her conversation with the woman beside her.

I already liked this woman.

As the mood turned casual again I found myself becoming more and more at ease although my new safety net being Gai didn't leave me feeling quite as... safe. Genma was being very polite, trying to strike up conversations with me or include me into discussions. Gai was always easy to talk with and since we had been around eachother so much lately I found it easier to strike up conversations with him. I quickly remembered the names of the other people joining us. Kotetsu a man with black messy hair and black eyes with a strip of bandage across the bridge of his nose. Kurenai with her big black hair and red eyes. Asuma, of course and Raido, the guy I'd met briefly when arriving from the mission of the land of ice.

Gai was insistent that I tried sake in small amounts this time, which I had refused without hesitation but was eventually convinced by Genma on my left side and mostly by the tomb-boyish, rough Anko on my right side.

"Shut up Genma you can't loosen someone up by commanding them to! You need some sake my blond friend!" She'd said before happily pouring me a glass and forcing me to drink with her.

"That's how it's done!" She said once again giving me one of her infamous pads on the bag.

"So pushy." Genma muttered beside me and rolled his eyes.

"How's Kakashi doing, Gai?" Asuma's question across the table caught my ears immediately.

Peeping up almost too quickly I cursed myself for being so obviously interested, and I saw both Asuma catch that slight twitch my body had betrayed away.

"He's on a mission with team seven right now. Something about escorting a bridge builder to Kirigakure. It's taking longer than expected apparently." Gai answered casually, a faint pink tinting his cheeks because of the sake.

I had been too proud to ask Gai any questions about Kakashi, so hearing that he wasn't even in town was a kind of relief. At least he couldn't ignore me when he was on a mission, and it also meant I wasn't the reason for why he hadn't shown up today.

Taking a zip of sake, I looked at the table and wondered what kind of mission they were on. If it took longer than expected, maybe there had been some trouble along the way. At least I felt my mood lighten a little bit and took another sip of the sweet liquid.

"Speaking of Kakashi! Have you gotten the shovel under him yet, Toshi?" Anko's voice pierced my thoughts and snapped me into reality and I looked at the intimidating woman, almost coughing on my sake.

"What?" I responded.

"I mean, have you gotten under that uptight ass of his yet? I know how he can be." She added and smirked playfully.

"You shouldn't talk about him like that." Genma muttered, moping from my other side, clearly tired upon too much sake.

Really not finding it comfortable in any way to share the relation between Kakashi and I in an open forum, I crossed my arm and looked casually at the ceiling, hiding all the emotions that came with the title of said person.

"I don't know. I haven't seen him in a while." I said, trying my best to sound casual.

Anko looked confused for a moment and Genma looked mildly surprised.

"Really? How come?" She asked, sounding like she actually had a soft side all of a sudden.

A roar of laughter startled everyone from across the table all the cups jumping slightly as Gai hammered his fist into the table.

"This is my favorite song! Anko please dance with me!" Gai was standing up, hands raised excitedly in the air.

The busty woman looked frightened at him as he started humming and moved his hips in tacky, old fashioned dance moves.

"Haven't had enough sake for that." She scoffed in my ear.

"Come on! Or should I call you.." Gai smirked teasingly, raising an eyebrow and said woman.

"Don't you dare Gai!" She hissed, her eyes glaring warningly at him. The bowl haired man shaped his mouth in an 'O' as the hot-tempered woman grew increasingly angry.

"Old... Woman." He mouthed, obvious to everyone that he was teasing her purposely.

With a squeak Gai was off into the crowd, with Anko following in his heels, having jumped right over Genma and I, who sat startled and looked after the disappeared two.

"I didn't realize Gai was that drunk." Kurenai mussed.

Gai had indeed saved me from an uncomfortable conversation, which i silently thanked him for.

But the night progressed without other uncomfortable conversations. I was still not comfortable about the whole dancing thing, and there weren't enough people in the bar to help create a mood that said 'dance'. But the mood in our little group was high nontheless - mostly thanks to Anko and Gai - and I found myself growing comfortable around these people who did the same for a living as I did.

The numb and carefree sensation of being drunk came with a number of new discoveries about myself. For an example that I could flirt ruthlessly with Genma, to the point where he sourly turned shy and without me actually reading anything into it. Another example was when me and Gai was on our way home, walking with an arm over the others shoulder while singing:

"Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a pirate's life for me." We sang in unison.

"We're rascals."

"Scoundrels villains, and knaves!" Gai roared

"Yo Ho, Yo Ho-o" I sang in duet to Gai in the empty night streets.

"You better get inside and get some rest Toshi." Gai reminded as we had reached my apartment.

"You're right ol- I mean my youthful buddy." I responded and patted him once on the bag like Anko did to me all night.

"I see you're picking up my good habits. Very good indeed." Gai proudly said.

"How can I not? I'll see you tomorrow!"

We parted ways although I had to admit that I was a bit worried that Gai wouldn't get home safely. Shaking my head over my silly thoughts I used my spare key to enter the shop. The moonlight shone in through the windows casting pale blue light across the countless drawers, distinctively giving the shop a more dark edge.

Hurrying soundlessly across the room and sitting down to crawl through the backdoor to the kitchen, I opened the sliding door and was momentarily blinded as the lights were still on.

I stiffened as I sat in the door, Kakashi's distinct presence overwhelming me. Tilting my head slightly to the right, he sat by the counter of the kitchen island, Hana joining him in a cup of tea. Every longing, every feeling I had for him hit me full force, leaving me frozen in place. What was he doing here this late at night? Couldn't the idiot at least give me a surprise visit in the day time? Suddenly all my feelings collided with my temper, snapping me out of my startled state of mind.

"Oh' here she is." Hana said and smiled.

Not realizing I had been holding my breath I exhaled and breathed in slowly to get my bad temperament in control. I had an incredible urge to scold him all of a sudden. Kakashi turned in his seat, his one visible eye smiling casually at me.

"Hey Toshi."

A week before:

Gai was walking down the streets on a bright day. But his mood wasn't as bright as the day, as it would normally be. He had a friend that was ruining something precious to him without knowing. Not all people could be as overbearing as he himself could. Kakashi, of course, circled around his thoughts. He hadn't seen his rival in ten days at least, not even when being around the youthful girl Toshi.

"Not very nice of him." Gai muttered in deep thought.

"So Toshi, why did Kakashi want you out of his apartment so quickly?" Gai had asked her as they sat under a tree at the training grounds.

Her eyes had wondered away from his in a hurtful way, her fingers nipping at the grass aggressively. It was a simple question really, but he had to tread carefully with the unruly girl in front of him. It had been obvious to him that something was troubling her, and he had the impression that it had something to with Kakashi.

"I don't know." She had admitted nonchalantly her eyes never leaving the grass.

Gai knew his rival well and he wouldn't just throw her out like that unless something was troubling the man deeply.

"He's a very private man. You shouldn't take it personally." He had said reassuringly.

"I understand that he wants his apartment for himself. But I didn't think it bothered him so much to be around me, actually my impression was on the contrary." She had said and looked up at the tree, the leaves spreading dappled shadows across her face.

"He's always polite to be around! Sometimes it's hard to guess what he's really thinking. That's Kakashi for you." Gai had said, taking in her strange beauty.

"But this was different. You should have seen him when we were in Suna after our mission in the land of ice. Gai-" this time she looked Gai straight in the eyes, a stubborn strength shining through-"He was warm, and laughed a lot. He even let me lie in his arms at night in the land of ice. It was unusual, even for him."

Gai was taken aback by her sudden outburst. It was the first time she had really spoken of her bond with Kakashi. Gai had always suspected that it would be inevitable for Kakashi to not be fond of the girl, like he was of his students, but he had never heard about Kakashi being like that with a colleague, he often kept it strictly friendly. Even though he didn't spend much private time with Kakashi, he knew him well enough to know that it was out of the ordinary.

"But it has nothing to do with that. It was the way he said it when he wanted me to leave. He was so cold! Now it's like he has forgotten me. I know that he has lost a lot of loved ones and know it has made him who he is today. But I don't understand how he could just sever our ties like that. I really thought he was my friend." She'd said.

Gai took pity in her, seeing how her eyebrows furrowed downwards as she struggled to tell him how she felt. It was obvious that she only gave him a fragment of what was going on.

"The last time Kakashi was like that..." Gai wondered out loud and closed his eyes as he recalled the memory- "Was when Rin died. Kakashi ignored everyone around him and went on one mission after the other. It was hard to watch. But no one close to him has died recently, so there must be another reason."

"Maybe he's just glad to get rid of me. Maybe it was just all an act." she moped and rubbed her arms even though it was warm day.

"No no no. He definitely cares. Even when he seems cold, he'll always be there for you." He'd said and shook his head knowingly at the silly girl.

Her eyes shone for the briefest of moments before returning to the sullen state she easily fell into at that time.

"It doesn't make sense. Why would he push me away?" She'd breathed and leaned back against the tree and started chewing on a straw.

Yes, why would he do that, Gai wondered. It was obviously hurting Toshi even though she didn't want to admit it. He stopped by a shop that sold dango's thinking to himself that he was really trying to hold back on the sweets, but one stick couldn't hurt. Deciding to buy a chestnut flavored one he agreed with himself that he would have to have a talk with Kakashi. The girl didn't yet have many friends, and Kakashi should've been there to help her move on in her life. But apparently Kakashi and he had different opinions, as they often had. Gai knew where exactly he could find his rival.

As anticipated he found the grey haired man by the great stone memorial of those who died in the great shinobi World War III. Kakashi had always been the elite child while Gai had worked hard to achieve his goals. That was ultimately what had made the connection between the two, although the connection would never have been there if not for Gai's perseverance, especially in their childhood years. Kakashi was the type of guy who needed someone to not give up on him, although he didn't know that himself.

He waited a respectfully two minutes by the edge of the trees before taking the bull by the horns.

"Thought I could find you here, Kakashi!" Gai said and approached his friend.

"You found me two minutes ago Gai." Kakashi answered and glanced over his shoulder.

"You sensed that?! O' well, wouldn't expect less of you." Gai saluted.

"Was there anything you wanted?" Kakashi asked, still looking at the huge granite stone they stood in front.

Gai couldn't sense anything suspicious or different in Kakashi's behavior. This was, after all, normal behavior. He laughed loudly and clapped Kakashi on the back.

"Do a youthful friend like me really have to have any special reason to see you?" He said sheepishly, coursing the calm Kakashi to falter forward at the strong clap.

"I suppose not." Kakashi responded and scratched his hair awkwardly after recovering.

Gai crossed his arms proudly and took in a deep breath, a giant smirk evident in his face.

"Anyways-" he said and knew he was about to contradict himself-"I wanted to challenge you to a thaijutsu spar, my youthful rival!" He exclaimed and snorted satisfied.

Kakashi looked at him stupidly and sighed, his eyes flickering to the memorial stone.

"I don't think this is the right place for a spar Gai." Kakashi said.

Gai looked around agreeingly and nodded.

"You're right as usual." Gai said and rethought his plan to get Kakashi to talk.

"How about a simple match of rock, paper and scissor? The loser pays for dinner."

Brilliant Gai, simply brilliant, he complimented himself. Kakashi sighed and glanced at the memorial stone seeming to relent to Gai's enthusiasm.

"Alright then." Kakashi agreed and put forth his hand in a fist.

"That's the spirit! Ready?"

They lined up in front of each other with raised fists

"Rock, paper, scissor!" They said in unison, Gai a little louder than Kakashi.

"Paper beats rock. I win." Kakashi said as he held out a flat hand while Gai was holding out a clenched fist.

"Nooo! I loose." Gai said in a high pitched voice and with a gaping mouth.

"You used your sharingan didn't you?!" He accused.

"How could I when it's hidden underneath my headband?" Kakashi asked casually.

"Haha! Very clever, very clever." Gai said padding his nose with a finger teasingly. "I guess I'll have to pay for dinner."

Although Kakashi didn't seem like he was overly fond of going to dinner, he did anyways in lack of anything better to do. Gai was insisting on an all you can eat sushi bar, also because he didn't have to sit in front of Kakashi, but next to him which made it easier to get the man to talk.

Before getting too caught up in eating the delicious - and healthy - food Gai had thought long and hard on how to start the conversation without seeming too obvious about his real intension.

"So, Kakashi. Have you visited your youthful student Toshi in her new apartment yet?" Gai asked as casually as he could manage.

"No, I haven't." He replied happily like it was the last thing on his mind.

"Hm? Why not? You've lived with her for so long now." Gai responded obliviously.

"I don't know. It hadn't really occurred to me." Kakashi answered with a shrug while chewing a piece of sushi.

Gai's eyebrow quivered briefly in irritation. Kakashi was lying and he could sense it.

"Bullshit Kakashi! You can't possibly live with such a nice girl without having the need to at least see how she's doing!" Gai's outburst almost startled himself a little bit.

Kakashi stopped chewing and looked at Gai a little taken aback, his chopsticks hanging over the running sushi table where he had been about to pick up a new piece.

"And what would you know about that?" Kakashi asked, sounding a little bit unsure about what was going on.

"Me? I've been spending the last three weeks with her. I even helped her find an apartment and helped her move in. She's been training with the team, ever since you kicked her out of your apartment." Gai said.

Well, this conversation wasn't going as discreet as he had hoped it would.

"Uh... What?" Kakashi looked at Gai confused, seeming to search for words. Hah, I got him now! I can tell, Gai thought.

"I didn't kick her out." Kakashi added.

"Well then why did I find her sleeping outside in a tree with nothing but a backpack?" Gai had prepared his arguments thoroughly.

"I gave her a few days to move out. I didn't actually think she would already have found anything when I came back from the mission." Kakashi admitted, having put down his chopsticks.

Gai looked at his friend suspiciously and ate a sushi brusquely.

"You must've done something to make her move out and into the streets." Gai said pointing accusingly at Kakashi with his chopsticks.

For the first time in their conversation Kakashi showed a kind of remorse when he looked at the table, his eyes softening.

"Gai it's complicated. I had to make her want to move out." Kakashi said. "How did you even get her to train with you?"

Gai flinched at the change in subject but decided that he could tell a little now when Kakashi had done that too.

"As you probably know - I know nothing slips your attention - she was alone in this city and the only person she knew had left her alone to fend for herself. I saw her the day before, trying to find an apartment but she had no clue who to really go to. So I decided to help her, even though she didn't want me and Lee's help in the beginning. Eventually she warmed up. Now she comes to train with us every day." Gai said and nodded rightfully at himself.

"I see." Kakashi snatched a salmon nigiri and studied it for a moment "I know it doesn't do anyone justice, but I was also kind of testing her to see if she was ready to stand on her own feet."

"Bah. Who is ever ready to do that? You just do it. But it doesn't have to involve being let down by a person whom you care for and trust." Gai crossed his arms "Test her. Who does that to someone you care about." He muttered.

Kakashi slouched a little, something seeming to hit a nerve.

"What has she told you Gai?" He asked suspiciously.

Gai snorted dramatically, knowing it was his turn to lie.

"She hasn't told me anything! In fact she doesn't even seem very affected. I don't think she has time to think about you especially not with all those new people she's hanging around when she isn't training. I just think you've treated her wrongly, even if she doesn't think that herself." He said.

This changed something in Kakashi. There was a startled emotion to him as if he hadn't expected her to be over him so quickly. That Kakashi, Gai thought, feeling proud that he could change Kakashi's mind, without commanding the copy ninja to do it.

"So she isn't mad at me?" Kakashi asked.

"How should I know? She sure doesn't seem like it." Gai said with a shrug. "Anyways, getting back to my first question. What did you do to make her move out so suddenly?"

Kakashi took a hand to his headband and moved it up and down uncomfortably.

"Why do I get the feeling that there's more than just your concern for her being able to stand on her own feet?" Gai added starting to grow confused.

Kakashi groaned quietly as if he was getting a headache. Gai couldn't remember when seeing him like that. He leaned closer to the copy ninja, glancing surreptitiously around the restaurant.

"And between you and me, I think she's being targeted by the Root." He whispered

This caught Kakashi's attention immediately. He looked up startled, his eyes widened in disbelief.

"No! They're thinking about requiting her?" Kakashi responded.

"I'm not sure yet. But there are signs." Gai said raising an eyebrow.

"Dammit!" Kakashi muttered "I didn't think they would be interested in her abilities so soon. This is bad news."

"Agreed. But with that said, I think she's too free spirited to ever just follow Danzo's orders." Gai whispered, intend on keeping their voices low as they were in public. Who knows who could be listening.

"Hmm." Kakashi looked calculating, staring at the sushi.

"Don't look like that Kakahi, I'm sure she can handle it." Gai tried reverse psychology, doubting that it would work on someone as rational and intelligent as Kakashi.

"I appreciate your concern Gai, but there's nothing to worry about. Thank you for the sushi." Kakashi put his chopstick down and moved out of the high chair.

"It isn't you I'm concerned about." Gai called and pouted although he was starting to get concerned about Kakashi as well.

"I'll se you around." Kakashi called already about to leave.

Gai knew he couldn't press the subject anymore and sighed. At least now he knew that Kakashi did care about her. The fact that he didn't want to talk about it any further only proved that it was going somewhere deeper. Maybe Kakashi cared too much about her and was distancing himself. Gai snatched a tuna sushi as his train of thoughts continued. It could be one theory. He shrugged and decided to see how things would develop from now on, at least now he knew Kakashi would go and visit her.

Kakashi watched the blonde girl smoothly set her feet in the floor and delicately move out of the small doorway to straighten up, shoulders pulled proudly back. It was only a months since he had seen her, but the difference was clear. Despite being tipsy, her eyes slightly unfocused, she radiated health, her tan skin seeming to glow on top of lean muscles and feminine curves. He couldn't remember the green in her eyes to ever be such a radiant emerald and piercing as a tiger's. Of the blue, green, brown trio, the green eyes was by far the most exotic, rarest and addicting he had ever encountered.

He didn't like what he could suddenly feel. It hit him so hard after a whole month of trying to suppress it and busying himself with all kind of things, that he found himself growing uncomfortable as she approached him. He was suddenly glad Hana was there. How lame of him...

"Your friend here came to visit you, but since you weren't home I offered him to wait for you here." Hana explained, jumping down form the high chair with the cup of tea in her hand.

"Right... Of course. Thank you Granny." Toshi answered.

The copy ninja found himself unable to look away from her, drinking in the glories of her eyes and body, the hollow of her throat, her mimics.

"Hey Kakashi. What're you doing here this late?" It was first when she spoke directly to him and her watchful guarded eyes gave him her full attention that he realized he had been ogling at her.

Hana was making her way out of the kitchen, and he silently cursed himself for letting every barrier he had worked up to suppress the connection he felt with Toshi, fall to the ground, having seen her in only ten seconds.

"Hey Toshi." He said softly, trying to recover. She sat down in a high chair at the corner and looked at him puzzled, her hands folded in a tense manner on top of the island.

"You already said that." She countered and ran a hand through her long ripe hair.

He mentally slapped himself. What's wrong with you Kakashi? You're usually not like this around anyone. Not even girls you're attracted to! Toshi looked so confident sitting there, looking at him expectantly.

"Sorry." He laughed sheepishly "It's just good to see you again." He said, hoping to smolder her a bit.

Her eyes widened briefly, giving away her actual state of mind. He found it reassuring that he could still affect her easily.

"It's good to see you too. But... This is really unexpected." She responded.

He could either play this safely and pretend there was nothing changed between them or could apologize to her for leaving her alone for such a long time. The bond they shared was undeniable, but it was unspoken of. But she wasn't stupid. She could see the elephant in the room as well.

"I just came home from a rather disturbing mission with the team a few hours ago. I thought it was about time I took the time to visit you." He said, silently asking himself why he was avoiding the unpleasant conversation. It wasn't like him.

It was true though. He was truly worn out by the mission to Kirigakure. His thoughts had often drifted to Toshi, especially after having faced Zabusa. Not only that, but Naruto had showed disturbing signs of the kyuubi breaking through. He had known the kid since he was in his mothers belly, yet he could never have anticipated this at such a young age.

His conversation with Gai had lingered in his thoughts through the whole mission, and now he couldn't hold back anymore. He never knew when he would see her again, or when he was going on a new mission. He'd have to visit her to see how she was doing and hear her out on the Root-thing. Reluctant to admit it, he also wanted to know all the people she was getting involved with. For some reason it irritated him, that he wasn't one of those people involved in her daily life. He would have to work hard to be one of those people again.

Her eyes roamed over him searchingly before she grunted shocked, seeming to hide her surprise instinctively.

"What happened? Shouldn't you go to the hospital before coming here?" She asked, clenching the table top with one hand.

"I'm alright. Just a bit tired and worn out." He admitted, seeing right through that facade of hers and how concerned she actually was.

It comforted him somehow.

"Kakashi you idiot. You should take better care of yourself." She scoffed.

"It isn't that bad. You shouldn't worry." He responded softly and took his mask down to sip at his tea.

It never ceased to amaze him, how it affected her when he bared his face. Her eyes fluttered away from him like he was undressing in front of her, but she always looked stubbornly back at him.

He explained what had happened in the hidden mist and watched her grow more comfortable and less guarded around him, just like when they had been in Suna. In return she told him of her past month. He had to admit that he felt something when he realized how much she was hanging around Gai. The bushy browed man didn't know her like he did. He'd been there from the beginning and seen her grow. He hoped his friend in the green jumpsuit realized that he was getting all the good times with her.

Moreover, he wasn't comfortable with the dirty assassination jobs the hokage was giving her. Although she clearly was successful, he cared too much about her to not be worried that this would bring her back to her old self. Even though they were starting to relax the air was thick with tension between them, both too stubborn to address the fact that the copy ninja had tried to pull away, if he still wasn't trying that.

How's that working for you now? He thought to himself.

"What tea is this?" Toshi asked and snatched his cup away, taking a sip from it.

"Excuse you." He responded reaching for the cup unsuccessfully.

She held it out of his grasp and took another sip like she was tasting a fine wine.

"This is a tea that's supposed to make you sleepy. We call it a late night tea. It has valerian root in it."

"Thank you for the bonus info, but no one asked you." He retorted cheekily, starting to think that there weren't enough people who put Toshi in her place.

She gave him a frown, one that only she could make that said 'you're kidding me, are you fucking retarded or just annoying?' All in one look.

"Anyways, it's a really nice place. Good people you live with." He said and snatched the cup away from her.

"Yeah, I don't think I could've found a better place." She said softly and looked around the mussed kitchen. "Do you want to see my apartment upstairs?"

Kakashi blinked a couple of times. He had to admit that he didn't expect her to invite him up after basically having shoved her out of his apartment. Keeping their friendship on a basic level surely didn't work well for him when she was being so nonchalant about it.

"Um... Sure." He answered perplexed, almost giving away his surprise.

"Awesome! Then you can see how much better my apartment is than yours." She said cheekily and grinned at him.

How she could keep surprising him was a mystery to him, and he almost felt his neck heat up at that smile she flashed. Honestly he had expected her to be cold or maybe even scold him. But no such thing had come yet. Had he written too much into their 'relationship'. Had he been mistaken about her? She didn't seem much affected by his absence for a month.

Kakashi was trying with all his might to not marvel at her body as they ventured upstairs. At least, yes, he had admired her beauty before but this time it felt different. He felt like a pervert watching her from behind as she leaded the way. A raging battle was going on in his head, all his morals and defenses colliding with his sudden emotions and responses of his body.

"Kakashi?"

Had she really always looked like that? He sniffed her scent washing off of her long hair. Apples and fresh air. An onyx eye watched her closely, the view of her bottom right in sight as they walked the stairs.

"Are you deaf?!"

He looked up perplexed, as her sharp emerald eyes looked down at him, a frown evident.

"What?" He asked. Had she been speaking to him?

"I asked if you have gotten anything to eat yet. Jeez, that mission must really have taken its toll on you." She scoffed as they made it to the hallway upstairs.

"Oh..." He had to stop thinking so much. It made him incapable of focusing "No, actually I haven't eaten anything since I got home." Lucky he was still good at holding a good pokerface. Toshi couldn't ever know his current thoughts.

"I have some leftover wok I can heat for you, if you want anything." She suggested and stopped in front of a wooden door.

"No you don't have to do that. I'll just eat in the morning." He responded before a low growl echoed through the hallway emitting from his stomach.

She gave him one of her infamous scowls while unlocking her door as he chuckled sheepishly. There was no point in hiding that he was kind of hungry now.

"I'll heat up some wok for you." She stated and walked inside the apartment.

Toshi was simply being so hospitable that he had a hard time accepting any food from her because of that guilt he felt for basically having been an ass towards her the past month. It wasn't going to change that he would try to stay away, but she surely didn't make it easy for him. There's a surprise. Toshi making me feel welcome.

There was a cozy feel to her apartment, and he decided immediately that he liked it. Books were stacked on shelves, fresh herbs were hanging in the kitchen and on the wall by her bed he noticed the fur cloak she had gotten from the tribe in the land of ice. Her apartment was surely more of a home than his was. He had always imagined her apartment to be as empty as his, due to her personality, but apparently her home reflected a warmer side of herself.

Toshi's POV

"So this is where you live." The unmasked copy ninja said, seeming to scan every little detail of my place.

"Yeah. Nice isn't it?" I answered and went to the fridge to find the leftover wok me and Gai had shared yesterday.

I was really trying my best to seem nonchalant about the whole situation, but being slightly drunk I found it hard to keep my body language in check. The tension between us was thick, although some of it was starting to ease. Even Kakashi acted weird. He wasn't even putting much of that indifferent facade up. But, hey, I had saved his life the last time we were together. We knew each other so well that putting up facades was almost a waste of time as we read each other well.

"I almost forgot about your totem." He commented.

I looked over my shoulder to see him standing in the mix of yellow lamp light and blue moonlight by my bed, looking at the small totem on the shelf hanging above the bed. My heart started beating double just by the sight of him in my apartment, his tall lean figure with broad shoulders standing there calmly. I almost poured wok on the kitchen table instead of in the hollow of the pot and quickly turned away embarrassed to focus.

"Yeah... Seems like a distant memory now." I said softly.

I felt his eyes on my back and almost shuddered as the tension was right back between us.

"That was some trip, huh?" He answered.

"It definitely left an impact on me. Lets just put it that way." I said, trying with all my might to sound like I didn't think about it daily, which I didn't, just for the record.

"Of course, it was your first real mission." He answered, moving around the room.

I turned on the cooker and turned around, leaning against the kitchenette. How stupid could he act? He knew full well that it wasn't because it was my first mission, but it was he who had left a real impact on me. You can't push me away Kakashi, I wont give in to it.

"Could I maybe borrow your shower while you're heating the food?" He asked when I forgot to answer.

The casual request took me aback, but it made me glad somehow, that he was starting to feel comfortable again. I wanted that friendship back we'd had in Suna, and it was lurking somewhere beneath our facades and pretenses.

"Sure!" I said promptly.

Guess there was no going around that he just came home from that crazy mission a few hours ago.

I showed him the bathroom and gave him a clean towel, finding our sudden close proximity rather strange. When sitting down by the dinner table I stared out the window, listening to the running water. Kakashi was in my apartment, taking a shower like it was the most natural thing to do. Biting the tip of my finger I felt my heart rate pick up again. He was naked, right on the other side of that door. After a whole month of him being in the back of my mind almost every single day, he was here.

I felt an inner conflict battle on inside me. The one side that wanted to address his absence and his ridiculous idea of not becoming too attached, even though he clearly seemed to care about what was going on my life. And the other side that just wanted to ignore it and just play the game of who would crack first.

Sighing to myself I went to stir the wok before sitting down once again. There was a strong urge manifesting itself, an urge to protect him. Hearing about his mission with team seven had left me strangely irritated that I wasn't there to help him fight the notorious Zabuza. Either Kakashi was being strangely relaxed because it was me he was with, or because he had just gotten home from a rather disturbing mission. It could leave him somehow vulnerable, I'd learned that on our mission to the land of ice.

The familiar creak of the bathroom door roused me from my thoughts. I hadn't even heard the water turned off as Kakashi stepped out, finished with his shower. I was about to open my mouth to say something but seemed loose the art of speech as soon as I saw his body clad in nothing but a towel around his waist. I'd seen him bare chested countless times, so why I still reacted like a shy little girl whenever I saw him like that - was a mystery to me. I looked away instead and got up to stir the wok around, while Kakashi stood, apparently unaffected by anything as he roughly dried his hair with another towel.

"The food is almost ready." I offered, trying hard not to stare at the expanse of muscled thigh, nor the way his pecks looked with one arm behind his head, not to mention the bead of water traveling down from his navel, to the twin robe of muscles that edged down by his waist and disappeared into the towel resting on his hips.

I cleared my throat and looked back into the mix of meat and vegetables, but averted my eyes subtly to him, jaw stubbornly locked in determination. Kakashi was giving me quizzical face as he likely gloated inwardly at how stupidly immature I got at any sign of his unclothed flesh, which I was absolutely not still thinking about.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

I felt my cheeks heat up. Did he catch me checking him out?

"Yeah, of course." I said with a shrug, hoping my embarrassment would fade so I could strike up a normal conversation.

Every muscle tensed up as he came casually closer. Turning away, I refused to look at him as he came up behind me, his warmth and fresh scent washing over me like a drug. It made the hackles in my neck rise.

"Smells good." He said, moving around me.

I suck in a breath as the well defined chest of the hunk of a copy ninja was suddenly in my face - well at least almost in my face - as he stretched out his arm to grab a cup. This didn't help my cheeks to cool down one bit. This was all too much in one day.

And then he had the fucking gall to leer at me. I was going to kill him.

"What does that face mean? Stop messing around Kakashi!" I said wryly as he leaned away again.

"Why, what do you mean? I just need a glass of water." He said cheekily.

I flashed him an insincere smile and bumped his shoulder with mine to create some distance.

"Be careful I don't drop my towel. Or maybe that was your intension? You could just ask if you wan-"

"Shut up already!" I bristled, not thinking I could be more red in the face "You're forgetting that I changed all of your clothes when I saved you from drowning." I retorted, moving the pot aggressively off the cooker.

Kakashi blinked dumb-founded a couple of times. Apparently that hadn't ever occurred to him.

"You did?" He just responded.

"Of course I did! You were going to freeze to death if I didn't." I said, this time more softly.

"You're such a pervert Toshi." He answered teasingly.

I suppressed a growl, in the process of pouring the wok onto a plate before I dope slapped him on the neck.

"It isn't funny Kakashi! Nothing about that time was funny. I survived, you survived, that's it." I responded dryly.

He looked at me a little bit startled, his eyes starting to soften.

"Sorry. I was just trying to lighten the mood." He admitted.

To be honest I was a little bit shocked at myself. I actually thought I could handle being around him - you know - be cooler now when I had actually kissed another guy before, but apparently I could still not handle Kakashi teasing me in such a manner. Especially not with this much tension between us. In the end, it all came out in an angry manner, which wasn't my intension. Instead of being angry I should've just played along, seeing where that would get me. Of course Kakashi didn't know that even though I had seen him naked before, it was still different seeing him half naked and walking around, gorgeous as he was.

"Don't worry about it." I sighed and went around him to put the plate on the table.

As he started dressing, there was still those things we hadn't talked about yet lingering in the air. Like how I felt about our last mission - he seemed to avoid that question as much as I - and also the reason why he hadn't visited me sooner, or why he basically had kicked me out. We weren't going to talk about it. I could sense that. It was funny considering he always talked so casually about everything else. It gave him away somehow, that it was nagging him so much he couldn't just address it. Then again, I had really no idea what was going on in that mind of his.

Pushing the thoughts away I decided I would get the best of my moment with him. When he came out - dressed - I stroke up a casual conversation about Gai's training, that helped ease the tension between us. Kakashi even expressed his concern about my missions, the experienced ANBU coming forth in him as we discussed work. It was nice.

"Anyway..." Kakashi seemed to hesitate, leaning comfortably back in the chair while his eyes searched my face. "If you want to, we can go and train tomorrow. I gave the kids a day off." He said, running a hand through his silver hair as if he was embarrassed to ask.

Kind of surprised by the offer, I wished I hadn't made plans tomorrow. But just trashing my plans with Gai and Kenshin seemed really mean. Also I didn't want to leave Kakashi under the impression that my schedule was full of free time.

"Sorry." I said, trying to make my smile alluring. "I promised Gai I would train with him, and I also kind of have a date."

This seemed to throw Kakashi completely off. He stared at me for a moment without saying anything. I guess it was only natural when I choose Gai over him.

"You have a date?" He asked confused.

"Kind of." I admitted, chuckling sheepishly. I wasn't really comfortable about telling him that. I knew I didn't like Kenshin as much as I liked Kakashi. But I had to do something to get said person of my mind.

"With who?" He asked sternly. I gave him a quizzical look at the suspicion showing in his eyes.

"Uhm, a guy named Kenshin who has been pestering me to go out with him." I said starting to feel awkward.

"Kenshin... I'm not sure I know him." Kakashi pondered.

"Okay? He's a jounin, so..." I answered with a shrug. Wow, this was an awkward conversation.

Kakashi nodded in response, and folded his arms over his chest.

"Good for you. Just don't do anything you're not comfortable with." He said.

I snorted "of course I won't. You don't have tell me that." I moped and crossed my arms. "Acting like a father." I muttered.

"I know that. I'm sure he'll know it if he's overstepping any boundaries." He corrected, his expression carefully impassive.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" I responded, smirking at his hint.

"You know, back in the days you could breathe fire just by a wrong look from a guy." Kakashi chuckled, flashing me a gorgeous smile.

I huffed and smirked right back at him. Green eyes met onyx, both of us sharing a moment in silence. So many things were said in that moment.

"Well thank you for the food, Toshi. It was really good. I'll be heading home to get some sleep." He broke the eye contact and got up from the chair and dusted his pants off instinctively.

"Right. I'm just glad you stopped by. It has been such a long time." I answered, getting up with him.

It was getting late as well and if I was going to make it to training I would have to catch some sleep. Though Kakashi's sudden farewell was prompt, I didn't mind as I was starting to get real tired.

"The next time you visit you can just use this door." I mentioned for the french terrace, hoping that he would take the hint, that he was still welcome.

"Right." He responded softly and went to that door instead and opened it.

The damp night air wafted through the door and into the warmth of my home, sending a shivering chill through my body.

"It's cold, huh?" He said softly, having discovered the goosebumps that erupted on my arms.

"Definitely. Autumn is coming." I answered with a smile.

His eyes lingered on me, that strange look he'd had at times in Suna washing over his face briefly. It was almost as if he didn't want to leave.

"Thank you, Toshi. I'll see you around."

"Yeah. You too." I answered quietly, resisting the urge to give him a goodbye hug.

Our eyes locked for a moment more as the silent night wind drifted through the door. His hair swayed lightly in the breeze, shining a pale blue in the moonlight. God I'd missed him. God I longed for him. Just say it Toshi. Just ask him to stay. There's nothing unusual about that. Say it before he leaves.

And like that he was gone like a ghost.

I stared at his empty spot where he had been seconds before, and exhaled. How could my body go so rigid around him? Anger rose in me. What was his deal?! What was I to him? It was all too obvious there was some kind of tension between us and I couldn't figure out which kind of tension it was from his point of view.

Growling irritated I closed the door and leaned against it. It was so stupid of me to even consider asking him to stay. I couldn't be a dumb brainless girl around him, I really had to stop that!

Turning around and looking out the window I clutched the clothes by my heart. There was some kind of stinging fire burning there and I didn't know how to put it out. I'd felt it before, but after seeing him again it had only intensified. This was the feeling I'd been working to hard to push away, and now it was right back, full force.

Sorry for throwing in a few authors note regarding the pronounciation of certain names!

I hope you enjoyed this more casual chapter. Things will be heating up from here on (finally).

Anyways, I'll update as soon as I can.